Heart Health
The latest heart health and cardiovascular news from UNC Health Care and the UNC School of Medicine.
Inpatients who have STEMI heart attacks more likely to die than outpatients
A new study by UNC researchers finds that patients who suffer a STEMI heart attack while hospitalized are 10 times more likely to die than patients who suffer a STEMI outside the hospital.
Owens wins multi-year “Pathway to Independence” K99/R00 grant award
Congratulations to A. Phil Owens, III, PhD, a post-doctoral trainee in the Mackman lab at the UNC McAllister Heart Institute. With this award, Dr. Owens will have support to transition from a mentored research environment with Dr. Nigel Mackman to an independent laboratory setting. Dr. Owens’ research focuses on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the role of coagulation and platelets in protecting AAA from ruptures.
Newly approved blood thinner may increase susceptibility to some viral infections
A study led by UNC researchers indicates that a newly approved blood thinner that blocks a key component of the human blood clotting system may increase the risk and severity of certain viral infections, including flu and myocarditis.
Sidney C. Smith, Jr. MD, receives the 2013 Joseph Stokes, III, MD Award from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology
The award honors those who have made significant contributions in the field of preventive cardiology through research, teaching, clinical activity and leadership.
Setting the stage for a new paradigm in treatment of heart failure
New evidence shows the root of heart failure lies in misfolded proteins in the heart’s cells, according to UNC researchers. The finding may pave the way for dramatically new treatment approaches.
UNC's Cam Patterson elected President of the Association of Professors of Cardiology
The mission of the APC is to lead the effort to train cardiovascular specialists.
Endovascular Aortic Repair Devices approved by the FDA Following Testing at UNC
Two endovascular aortic repair devices tested in clinical trials at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States.
Heart and Vascular Nurses Honor Colleague with Service and Donations to Local Charity
In honor and support of Deirdre Maisano, Nurse Manager of the CTICU, staff from 3 Anderson recently volunteered their time and donated supplies to support a local charity.
Study shows higher healing rate using unique cell-based therapy in chronic venous leg ulcers
A unique living human cell formula is applied on leg ulcers in a topical spray, providing 52 percent greater likelihood of wound closure than patients treated with compression bandages only.
Patterson, Willis co-edit new book entitled Translational Cardiology
Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, Physician-in-Chief of the Center for Heart and Vascular Care and Chief of the Division of Cardiology, and Monte S. Willis, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, are the co-editors of a new book that discusses the molecular basis of cardiac metabolism, cardiac remodeling, translational therapies and imaging techniques.
Three UNC specialties nationally ranked by U.S. News
Overall, eleven specialties at UNC Hospitals were recognized as nationally ranked or high performing by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" issue.
UNC Hospitals qualifies for American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Gold Level Performance Achievement Award for heart attack care
The award recognizes UNC Hospitals’ commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients that effectively improves the survival and care of STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) patients.
Heart and Vascular begins offering Stress Test Services at Caswell Family Medical Center
The Center for Heart and Vascular Care is now offering stress tests to cardiac patients at Caswell Family Medical Center as part of a community clinic partnership that began in 2008.
UNC is first in U.S. to use new device to treat complex abdominal aortic aneurysms
On Monday, June 18, 2012, the UNC Center for Heart & Vascular Care’s Aortic Disease Management team became the first in the U.S. to successfully treat a complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with the Zenith® Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Graft.
William Marston of the UNC Center for Heart and Vascular Care begins Phase 3 Study of Autologous Stem Cells
Dr. Marston's study of autologous stem cells is for the treatment of patients with Critical Limb Ischemia to reduce the need for amputations.
Collaboration leads to success during the first VT ablation with pLVAD in place
Dr. Eugene H. Chung of the UNC Center for Heart and Vascular Care performs UNC’s first ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation with a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pLVAD) in place.
Center for Heart & Vascular Care & Prosthetics/Orthotics initiate amputee peer visitation program
This program is designed to provide an additional resource to help the Center for Heart & Vascular Care and the Prosthetics/Orthotics department to meet the emotional needs of their patients following an amputation.
UNC receives $10 million commitment for art collection, heart disease research
Dr. Hugh A. “Chip” McAllister Jr. of Houston has made a $10 million commitment to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that will include a collection of nearly 50 works of art for the Ackland Art Museum and expand an endowment dedicated to heart disease research at the School of Medicine.
A supercharged protein reduces damage from heart attack
UNC researchers tap into the body’s own repair system to protect heart cells after an attack. The approach could also help prevent cardiac damage in cancer patients.
Are you HeartAware? Check your risk!
February is Heart Month. Heart-health assessment can be as easy as taking the HeartAware Risk Screening offered by the Heart and Vascular Centers at UNC and Rex. Unlike some diseases, cardiovascular disease can largely be predicted and prevented.
